Review: "A Box Of Texas Chocolates: The Final Twist Anthology"

Anthologies are notoriously hard to review. The biggest issue is the fact that the story quality can fluctuate greatly. This book created by the Houston based writers group known as “The Final Twist” is a prime example of this problem. Containing fourteen stories with Texas settings in the genres of mystery, romance and science-fiction one would expect some variation in terms of complexity, depth of story, and enjoyment of martial. One does have to hunt hard for the good ones in this anthology.



“A Box of Texas Chocolates” by Linda Houle opens the book with a very clichéd setting. There is going to be a murder mystery theme party and, of course, one of the chocolate desserts is lethal. So much for the murder mystery party not killing anyone. Be sure not to miss the plugs for the recipe book and game based on the anthology at the end of the story or online at the publisher.

Pauline Baird Jones follows with her story “Getting a Clue.” Trapini comes from the wrong family, wrong everything, and Lieutenant Molony keeps dragging her in for questioning. Despite loving Molony at a far since first grade a romance between the two as far as Trapini is concerned. Instead of doing business the family way, she opened her own bakery and sometimes Molony brought items. Now, among other things, he wants to know who is buying chocolates from Trapini and anonymously sending then to his sister, Erin. Does romance have a chance?

Third in the book is Laura Elvebak who wrote the good mystery “Less Dead.” (The sequel, “Lost Witness” is currently in my burgeoning TBR pile.) In “Dying for Chocolate” Clarie is a child care provider who is doing a bit of her own investigating. She plans a confrontation with the mothers involved and will use chocolate to get the truth – one way or another. One of the far superior stories in the anthology, it sets up a final twist that many readers, including myself, will never see coming.

“The Invisible Hand Will Smear Chocolate on the Face of Tyranny” by Mark H. Phillips comes next. Beyond being the longest title in the anthology, this science fiction story is a pretty good one. We aren’t the only ones who love chocolate which makes it worth changing the future of humans and aliens.

Gretchen Schultz makes the best treats around. Everyone knows it and she is under constant assault from her friend’s schemes to get her recipes. In “A Recipe to Die For” by Sally Love, Gretchen means to finally put a stop to it.

Page 71 marks the opening lines of “The Bavarian Drop Killer” by Cherri Galbiati. With a friend dead, Rina manages to insert herself fully into the investigation by the local police of Sandy Creek, Texas. The chocolate candy killer may have struck again? Or is there another explanation?

The seventh story is “Bitter Sweet” by Cece Smith. Chocolate, deceit and romance drive this story of discovering the truth in different people in this tale that is part romance, part mystery.

Betty Gordon creates a good mystery with her tale titled “The Cowboy’s Rose.” Fort Worth’s stock show and rodeo is the backdrop to a modern day cowboy, a package he doesn’t have and a pair of varmints that want the package pronto.

“Books and Bon Bons” by Charlotte Phillips follows with a good tale of dispensing justice earned. You just better keep your eye on your waitress and mind your manners.

If you are in any relationship any length of time at all you know Valentine’s Day is important even if she says it isn’t. In “Valentine’s Day” by Diana L. Driver, Erin said it wasn’t and Gary believed her. It is about to blowup for the newlyweds and one wonders who will fix it?

Murder at a charity gala is the idea behind “Jadead” by Iona McAvoy. The supernatural also plays a role in this very enjoyable story about murder, deceit and family and, of course, chocolate.

It is clear from the opening paragraphs that a stalker lurks in the story “Deep in the Heart of Texas” by Autumn Storm. What isn’t clear is why and how Megan will survive this latest crisis in her life.

“Truffles of Doom” is the second story by Mark H. Phillips in this anthology and another good one. It opens with an interrupted strip poker game between Herbert and Eva thanks to a phone call. The phone call better be important and it was for Detective Eva Baum. Nobody is going to poison the homeless by way of chocolate and get away with it.

The anthology concludes with “A Bona Fide Quirk in the Law” by Cash Anthony. Jessie Carr is involved in a lot of things and soon gets herself involved in a case of a woman arrested for selling “martial aids.” Based on a Texas law that was finally struck down as unconstitutional a number of years ago, this story provides a fitting sweet treat to the end of the book.


Featuring 14 stories by thirteen authors, this 336 page book features a lot of variety in terms of themes, character development and genres. Overall the read is rather disappointing considering the many publishing success these authors have had with a variety of projects. One goes into this third annual anthology expecting more depth to the read and less reliance on so many clichéd characters and settings.

While seasoned readers may be disappointed over the quality of works presented here, there is enough to keep many readers involved and turning the pages. The few chocolate morsels in this book make up for the weak flavor of others and make the book a break even experience in the long run.


A Box Of Texas Chocolates: The Final Twist Anthology
Editor: Lisa Rene’ Smith
L&L Dreamspell
http://www.lldreamspell.com/
September 2009
ISBN# 978-1-60318-140-2
Paperback
236 Pages
$16.95



Book provided by the publisher in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2010